§ 35. Mr. James Lamondasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he makes of the implication of the United Kingdom's acquisition of the Trident missile system for the negotiation of a comprehensive test ban treaty.
§ Mr. RentonWe remain committed to seeking progress towards a comprehensive test ban treaty, but believe it would be premature for negotiations proper to be resumed until the prospects for agreement are better. The Government are equally committed to the modernisation of Britain's independent nuclear deterrent, and will take steps to ensure this, in the same way as previous Governments have done. In the absence of any immediate prospects of CTBT negotiations, there is no linkage between the two issues.
§ Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultation he has had with the United States Administration on prospects for a comprehensive test ban treaty; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonAs my right hon. and learned Friend said on 5 February, views on nuclear testing constraints have been exchanged periodically with the United States and the Soviet Union, participants in the trilateral negotiations which were suspended in 1980, as well as with other states.